Cnicht fell race

Simon E came 16th in 45m in this championship counter on Sunday.

Capenhurst 5k

Not many of us out this year for this fast and competitive local race.
13. Simon R, 16.59
55. Paul S, 19.08

Craig y Rhiw fell race

A good turnout from the 'fell running wing' for this revived race, which leaves the Rhydycroesau show and weaves around the English-Welsh border for 4 uncomfortably quick miles. A hilly forest with some muddy descents, around 1000ft of climbing and a nasty sting in the tail (ie uphill finish).
2. Jez, 27.35
7. Simon R, 29.18
21. Huw, 33.03
27. Pete, 34.08
34. John, 36.46

Race the Train, Tywyn, Saturday 21st August

This was the 27^th time for this classic event. And it threw up its usual mixture of rain and mud, slips and trips.

As usual Buckley Runners camped at Ynysymaengwyn near Bryncrug; the campsite packed with runners and their friends and families by Friday evening. There is a real buzz about the place. Saturday morning was bright and sunny. Tracy and Connor set off early to catch the train for the 3.5 mile “fun-run”. Then Jane and Rup took Amanda and Jess up for the start of the 5.5 miles at Dolgoch then dropped David off a mile further up the valley for the start of the 10 km race. Each of the races starts as the train comes down the valley. All finished safely in good times. David won the 10 km by a wide margin, breaking the course record.

We had 6 runners in the main race (14 miles and bit extra this year). By 2 pm it was grey and damp. 30 minutes later a steady drizzle started to turn the surface of the paths into slippery mud. By 3.30 it was coming down in sheets. Choice of shoe became critical as the ground became very slippery, however the rain was very refreshing over the last few miles.

Approximate finish times (taken off the clock on Steph’s camera); Paul Stinton 1 hr 44; Dan Hollingsworth 1 hr 48; Paul Donohue and Jane Linley both on 2.08 (they held hands across the finish line – I call that style!!!); Rob Mackey 2.19 and Ann Ablett in 3.03. Keith Jones (ex member but one of the originators of “Buckley goes to Tywyn”) did a very good 2.18 despite lack of training.

By 5.30 the rain stopped and the sun came out not long after. It was a glorious warm evening. We retired to the camp-site, showered, had a BBQ and a few drinks and talked until 2 o’clock on Sunday morning. Buckley Runners doing what it does best.

Another great weekend at Race the Train. My regret – not more Buckley Runners were there. Hero of the day – my wife Steph who stood near the finish line in the rain and cold to get photos of Buckley Runners finishing. She was cold and soaked by the time Ann got in, but she stayed and cheered right to the end. Huge thanks for that Steph.

It was my 16^th time at this event, and in some ways my best. My time of 2.19 was my best time for over a decade. People said I looked happy at the end, they were right. The training and the races this summer seemed to work. Huge thanks to Jane for putting up with me on all those Sunday runs and everyone else who has persuaded me to enter some of the longer fell races. Now I will have to go back and see if I can do it again next year.

See you all in Tywyn nest year.

Posted by Rob Mackey Sunday 22^nd.

Deestriders, Off Road Series

79 runners participated in the 3rd 'Off Road Series' run at Deestriders.

Buckley Results:
19th 33;04
PAUL STINTON

20th 33;18
STEPHEN BELLIS

23rd 33;35
DAVE BOOTHROYD

63rd 42;32
MARGARET LUDDEN

64th 42;54
SUSAN RIDINGS

68th 43.58
ROBERT MACKEY

Final Race Friday 3 September at 7.00pm

5K trail runs in Shropshire

The Ellesmere 5K trail run was held today. Low key event but very well organised by Trismart.

Next race is on 26 September at Colemere

http://trismart.org.uk

Ponderosa hill race

The usual competitive and tight race, as can be seen from the times below. You don't get much time to relax on this one! It's a deceptively tough race, as you can't do much holding back on the initial climb up Cyrn y Brain because the subsequent descent is so narrow, fast (and boggy!). Well done everybody - let me know if I missed anyone.
5. Jez - 27.29
12. Simon R - 28.42
31. Dave - 32.15
37. Huw - 32.54
38. Chris W - 32.55
47. Peter - 34.18 (1st M65)
104. Rob - 41.48

The Fox Trot - 7 August 2010

Well done Simon, Age category win

winner at a new fell/trail

race in Colwyn Bay.

2.75 Wainwrights! Unfinished business by Rob.

While you were all having fun on the Clwydians choosing your own race routes I was in the Lake District planning my own run. The weather on the coast was fine but low cloud hung over the hills all the early part of the week. On the Thursday the forecast was OK for the morning so I gave it a try.

My wife dropped me near Santon Bridge (centre of picture) and I set off to follow the to of the screes overlooking Wastwater. In 90 minutes I had done Whin Rigg and Illgill Pike and dropped down the very steep slope to Burnmoor Tarn. I set off up the path to Scafell, it is a fairly straightforward climb up just over 2000 feet to the summit. Steep and grassy to start, then a bit easier, but the last 1000 is up an exposed, loose, zigzag path. An hour later I was struggling, going very slowly on the slippery path, cloud coming down limiting visibility, fine rain and nobody else around (I hadn't seen anybody for over two hours). I think it was another couple of hundred feet to the summit but enough is enough. I accepted defeat and turned back. It took another hour and a half to get to Dalegarth Station in Eskdale to meet Steph, four hours in total. While she got me a cup of tea I washed my legs and the dog in Willan Beck. A quick change into warm clothes, a bit of food and back down the valley on the train. We found a pub with its own brewery to eat at in the evening. I slept well.

Only problem is, I know it was right decision to turn round. The mountain will be there another day and I can have another go. Its bugging me now; it will have to be soon but maybe next time

I'll do Scafell first and think about the others afterwards. Rob

More postcards

Following Rob's idea, here's a postcard from hols last week in the Maritime Alps - cheap flights to Nice, good hill running and climbing. This is a view from the Mont Pelat summit ridge at around 3000m. SR.

Push up the Pincyn

This excellent recent addition to the fell race calendar takes place in the unlikely surroundings of Clocaenog forest. It's a genuine fell race, mind, with all the climbing and awkward descents that implies. Sadly, Jez did his hamstring on one of those descents after being right up there with Neil Parry at the sharp end - get well soon Jez! Simon R finished 4th in 48.46, Jez limped home in 13th, Huw was 15th in 54.55, Pete 18th in 55.19. However, the real hero of the day was John - who abandoned his own race to help an injured female runner in distress.
Simon R.

Green grass of home fell race and fun run

After the first 23 runners finished this one, a huge gap ensued. It took a very long time for the penny to drop - we were the ones who'd gone wrong... So there ended up being a set of results for the short (AKA: cheats!) course and the long (real) course. In our defence, I'd say you inevitably play 'follow the runner in front' when you're tired at the end of the race (although of course it wasn't the end of the race!)
Anyway, Huw came 3rd in the proper race in 51m, with Pete 12th in 52m, Dave 17th in 53m, John 25th in 55m and Sue 41st in 71m.
In the fun run, Jez was involved in an unprecedented dead heat. Martin's funds don't yet run to photo finishes, and he was declared joint winner. Simon R was 8th.

The Fox Trot

There is a new race being held this saturday (7th Aug.) at 12 noon in Colwyn Bay. Details below and on WFRA website (www.wfra.org.uk)

THE FOX TROTSaturday, 7th August. 12.00 pmBM 7miles / 1050ft ascentEntry fee £5 on day (includes free drink and cake)

Venue: Newfield Pavilion, Walshaw Avenue, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7YAToilets/changing facilities availableTerrain: Woodland tracks, bridleways (95% off-road)

Registration from 10:45am

Directions:From A55 follow brown elephant signs for Welsh Mountain Zoo. Turn left at St Andrews Church (before you start climbing to Colwyn Heights) and take first right.

posted by Sue